424 
VOYAGE OF THE POTOMAC. 
[September, 
CHAPTER XXIII. 
Passage to the Society Islands — Island of Otaheite, or Tahiti — Matavia Bay — De- 
scription of the natives — Dress, houses, food, &c. — Appearance of the countiy — ■ 
A banquet chainpetre — Divine worship— Increase of temperance among the na- 
tives — The queen-dowager — A sprig of royalty — Dinner on board the frigate — • 
State of the Island — ^Sail for Valparaiso. 
The day after leaving Hononiru and the Island Oahu, found 
the Potomac bounding on her way to the south and east, with a 
fresh northeast tradewind. Although a month- had been spent, 
and happily spent too, at the lovely island we were now leaving 
far behind us, we were not displeased at finding ourselves once 
more upon the ocean. A month is a long time for a sailor to be 
cooped up in port; he pants for. the exhilarating, darting spring of 
the ship, when met by the high rolling swell — the spirit-stirring, 
onward motion. Even the passing squall has its charms and its 
attractions. But these again soon tire ; and we look forward, 
with new interest, to the coming port. 
In fact, there is nothing like variety ; it has been aptly called 
the spice of life — of a sailor's life, we are sure that it is so — ■ 
though replete with hardships, dangers, and privations ; for, after 
all, his life is a merry one. It is not only a useful life, but a 
pleasant one, to all who choose to make it so. 
As long as the northeast tradewind lasted, we looked forward 
with pleasure at the prospect of stopping at the Marquesas Islands ; 
of which the most considerable are St. Christiana and St. Pedro, 
the first of which is situated in latitude 9° 55' south, longitude 
139° 9' west. We had already gained the longitude ; and a 
few days more would take us so far to the east as to reach them 
on the other tack, or with the southeast wind. Unfortunately, on 
the twenty-third of August, the wind died away; it then became 
calm ; variables followed ; nor did we get the northeast trade, 
until the third of September ; when, close upon the larboard tack, 
and standing to the south and west, we found, ourselves only able 
to fetch the Society Islands. 
